Hosiery



W. P. BROWN Jan. 23, 1934.

VHOSIERY Filed Feb, 20, 1932 gnvamtoz )%ZZ'@7- Brown, @51 6/5 fl t t e4 Patented Jan. 23, 1934 NlTED STATE PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to hosiery, more particularly to the manufacture of the same and consists of a new method of manufacture whereby an improved form of elastic top is produced.

Heretofore it is common practice in the knitting of a piece of hosiery, to provide a contracted elastic top which is produced by difierent methods. For example the thread of which the tops are made is of an elastic nature and in the knitting operation ribs are formed so as to allow of more elasticity to the top of the piece of hosiery than to the body thereof.

The objectpf the present invention is to produce in a simple and economical manner an elastic top which besides being efficient is attractive so as not to mar the appearance of the finished article.

In carrying out the invention the piece of hosiery is produced by a knitting machine of a standard kind and therefore the only requirement to produce the improved hosiery is to adjust or set up themachine so as to turn out the hosiery with the improved elastic top. This top and the meth- 0d of producing the same will be hereinafter fully described with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein- Figure 1 is a side elevation illustrating a part of a. piece of hosiery which is shown in use, that v is, in its distended or stretched condition; and

Figure 2 shows a portion of a piece of hosiery with a part thereof broken away and in the normal or contracted condition.

Referring to said drawing, the invention is shown as applied to an ordinary piece of hosiery 1 having the improved elastic top. Theimprovement consists of the double fold top comprising the inner fold or portion 2 and the outer portion or fold 3. The edge 4 of the inner fold 2 is united at the base 5 of the outer fold 3. The outer fold may be composed of the same kind of thread used for the body 1; in fact the said body is practically a continuation of the fold 3. The inner fold 2 is composed of heavier and less wales than used for the outer fold 3 and the threads for said inner fold are of any suitable elastic kind either rubber alone or covered rubber or any known suitable kind of elastic yarn. The threads used for the inner fold are'usually coarser than those employed for the outer fold the number employed for the knitting of the outer fold and the body of the article. When the inner fold is knitted the thread is changed, more needles are employed and with the completion of the outer fold the edge of the inner fold is united by the knitting operation in a known manner. After the union is so made the operation of knitting the entire article is continued.

The improved hosiery hereinbefore described is distinguished from other known forms of hosiery having elastic tops in that the elastic portion is on the inside of the top of the hosiery and this inner fold or band may be comparatively narrow so as. to get the best results in wear. Furthermore, the appearance of the top of the hosiery is improved.

When in use the force imparted by the improved elastic top'is more or less confined to a restricted area of the surface of the leg of the wearer and thereby a comfortable but effective pressure is obtained which will cause the top of the hosiery to cling tenaciously and ensure retention of the hosiery in place.

In use, the improved elastic top made according to this present invention, does not, due to the gentle constricted pressure thereof, give any discomfort to the wearer and besides offering this advantage the new elastic top adds neatness to the appearance of the hosiery.

Various modifications may be made in the manufacture of the improved hosiery hereinbefore described without departing from the spirit of the invention and thereby produce the inner elastic top for hosiery which is the salient feature of the present invention.

1. The method of mahufacturing hosiery comprising the knitting of an inwardly turned top having a constricted inner portion or fold composed of elastic thread, an outer portion or fold composed of \thread of which the body of the piece is composed, and said inner portion .or fold being composed of less wales than employed in the knitting of said outer portion or fold thereby effecting constriction of said inner fold.

2. The method of manufacturing hosiery com-- prising the knitting of an inwardly turned top having a constricted inner portion or fold composed of elastic thread, an outer portion orfold composed of thread of which the body of the piece is composed, said inner portion or fold being composed of less wales than employed in the knitting of said outer portion or fold, and the edge of said inner portion or fold being united at the base of said outer-portion or fold in a manner whereby the relative constriction of the inner fold creates an inwardly folded top. I

WALTER P. BROWN. 

